Career Pathways Program
The Career Pathways Program supports SEIU Local 500 unit members to identify career goals and obtain training and direction to achieve those goals. The Career Pathways Program offers opportunities for employees to improve their knowledge and skills in content areas that will enable them to achieve their career goals, with programs and processes in place to support those objectives.
Career Pathways Presentation to Stakeholders
On December 19, 2025, Career Pathways provided stakeholders with an update on program initiatives, showcasing key achievements and new developments. The presentation also highlighted the strengthening of existing partnerships and the establishment of new collaborations both within and outside the organization. A detailed document outlining these updates was shared as a resource.
Career Pathways Program - FY25 Brochure
Career Pathways has Moved!
Effective July 1, 2024, the Career Pathways Program has moved from the Department of Human Capital Management (DHCM) in the Office of Human Resources and Development (OHRD), to our new home in the Department of Districtwide Professional Learning in the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI).
The Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) leads innovation across all offices to ensure effective, antiracist, and equitable outcomes for students, staff, and families. Career Pathways Program, in the Department of Districtwide Professional Learning, works to facilitate the development of an organizational culture grounded in excellence, antiracism, equity and inclusion, and to reimagine and coordinate professional learning based on current research and best practices. Career Pathways Program’s mission is dedicated to developing and supporting pathways that promote continuous professional development, enhance instructional and leadership practices, and drive systemic change to ensure every student, staff member, and family experiences equitable and impactful educational outcomes.
- Increase awareness of, and engagement with, the MCPS Career Pathways Program, to make employees aware of existing services and resources to help them in their professional growth.
- Increase employee retention through initiatives designed to increase employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Provide enhanced leadership training and opportunities for supporting services employees to prepare future leaders of MCPS.
- Promote a culture of learning and development, to compete with other businesses and reinforce MCPS as a premier employer in Montgomery County, MD.
The Career Pathways Team manages the SEIU mentoring program for supporting services employees. Our mentors represent many different SEIU chapters and have a variety of expertise to share with employees.
To learn more about mentors, including how to connect with a mentor, check out the Mentoring Program webpage below.
Support
Do you have a question about career opportunities in MCPS? Or do you want to schedule a consultation?
Fill out our Intake Form and tell us how we can help!
Team
Nathalie Bourdereau - Career Pathways Program Manager
Heather Harman - Career Pathways Program Specialist
This tab contains reports on the Career Pathways Program from prior fiscal years.
Career Pathways Program Charter and FY24 Data
Click the link below to read about the history and milestones of the Career Pathways Program as well as data on who we serve.
Ambassador Program
The Career Pathways Ambassador Program is dedicated to providing support to employees across the organization. Each ambassador uses their unique skills and experience to provide support to employees at their work site and beyond. To learn more about the ambassadors and the work they are doing, visit the new Ambassador Program webpage!
Career Pathways Ambassador Program
This page can also be found in the left column, under Career Pathways Program - Quick Links
Missed the application deadline? Complete this form to be added to a waitlist for future cohorts. Note: Completing this form does not guarantee a spot in future cohorts. Interested individuals will receive communication about how to apply when the application is re-opened.
Leadership Development
Career Pathways Leadership Development Program
The Career Pathways Program for supporting services employees offers staff a year-long leadership development program to develop the skills and competencies necessary to be effective leaders in Montgomery County Public Schools.
Higher Education Partnerships
The Career Pathways Program collaborates with Higher Education Partnerships to increase supporting services employees’ participation in teacher prep programs.
Please visit the Higher Education Partnership’s website for more information. Please see below for upcoming information sessions. For complete details and to sign up, log into PDO.
Upcoming Partnership Information Sessions
Montgomery College Culturally Responsive Educators Aspiring for Teaching Excellence (CREATE)
This program is for individuals who are pursuing an associate of arts in teaching (AAT) degree.
03/06/2025 4:30 PM PDO Course #89298
Towson University M.A.T. in Special Education
This program is for individuals who are pursuing teacher certification in special education in one of three areas:
- Early Childhood Education (birth-grade 3)
- Elementary/Middle Education (grades 1-8)
- Secondary Education (grades 9-12
03/11/2025 5:00 PM PDO Course #90585
Johns Hopkins University Master's Degree in Special Education (SET-IT)
This partnership is for individuals who are pursuing initial teacher certification in special education in the following areas:
- Grades 1-8
- Grade 6 - Adult
03/19/2025 5:00 PM PDO Course #87107
How to Become a Teacher Webinar
This video is a recording of the How to Become a Teacher in MCPS webinar.
Terrapin Teachers at the University of Maryland - Asynchronous Learning Opportunity
Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM
How can participants sign up? Click on the link for enrollment instructions.
Course Description: Explore STEM teaching and learning, classroom complexity, and develop teaching skills through self-paced modules, discussion boards, and virtual instruction. Participants will explore/understand the fundamentals of inquiry teaching, observe, plan, and facilitate a student-centered STEM talk.
Questions? Please contact Sarah Henson Darko, Email: shenson2@umd.edu.
Interested in Terrapin Teachers? Please visit http://tt.umd.edu.
Training Opportunities from Career Pathways
The Career Pathways Program offers training centered around personal and professional development to help employees attain their career goals. See below for training that will be offered this year by Career Pathways.
Training from Career Pathways
Mark your calendars! Career Pathways will host a series of professional learning opportunities for support staff on March 31, 2025.
See below for more information. Alternatively, click here for details about each session.
Grow Your Career in MCPS
This course provides an overview of Career Pathway's services to guide you on your career journey. Activities include exploring training opportunities in MCPS and long-range career planning.
PDO Course# 92883
Introduction to Spanish for Front Office Staff
This session introduces basic Spanish phrases and communication strategies to enhance interactions with MCPS families. It focuses on effective communication, not language acquisition.
PDO Course# 91980
Resume Writing
This course will provide participants with best practices for writing resumes and cover letters as well providing a demonstration of how to use MCPS Careers effectively.
PDO Course# 91979
Interviewing Skills
This interactive session equips participants with key interviewing skills to boost confidence and effectiveness. It covers essential techniques, common questions, mock interviews, and best practices for making a strong impression. Ideal for those preparing for a new role or refining their skills.
PDO Course# 93180
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Instructional Support Staff
Participants will receive a brief overview of the history of artificial intelligence (AI), explore emerging guidelines and regulations at the federal and district levels, and observe live demonstrations of AI tools in action. Additionally, attendees will learn practical strategies for integrating AI to enhance instruction and support student learning. This session will provide valuable insights into the evolving role of AI in education and its potential to transform teaching and learning practices.
PDO Course# 93181
Where is Career Pathways?
The Career Pathways Team works closely with staff and partners to promote continuous professional learning and drive meaningful change, ensuring equitable and impactful educational outcomes for every student, staff member, and family. We actively engage with the communities we serve by participating in a range of internal and external activities.
This section highlights some of our school visits and activities.
February
National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals (NRCP) 37th Annual Conference
The Career Pathways Specialist will be presenting on leadership development for paraprofessionals.
School Pop-Up with Higher Education Partnerships at Rolling Terrace ES and Parkland MS
Past Events
School Pop-Up with Higher Education Partnerships at Rolling Terrace ES.
New Paraeducator Orientation (NPO) with Paraeducator Programs.